Packaging container

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a packaging container which includes a main body formed from a covering material, where this main body being adapted to enclose an area. The packaging container also includes a plurality of support beams and is characterized in that the support beams are located within or adjacent to the side walls of the container. Preferably such support beams may be located substantially in the center of the side walls of the container to resist compressive forces applied to the top or upper sections of the container.

TECHNICAL WELD

[0001] This invention relates to improvements to packaging containers. Specifically the present invention may be adapted to provide a container for large volumes of material, where the container is adapted to provide increased bulge resistance and stacking strength with a low cost design.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Packaging containers have been developed to allow products to be efficiently stored and protected from damage when transported. The packaging employed can, for example, allow large volumes of bulk materials to be stored in a compact volume for ease of transportation.

[0003] One common approach using the design of packaging containers is to form a box or container from corrugated card or other similar materials. These types of container may be formed quickly and inexpensively and may also be discarded once the product contained has been transported or used However, card-based packaging cannot be used in instances where a relatively strong container is required. If, for example, high volumes or weights of bulk material need to be packaged a cardboard container can bulge out at the sides from the forces applied by the material it contains. Furthermore, large numbers of cardboard-based containers cannot be stacked one on top of each other without the lower containers being crushed.

[0004] One attempt to address the strength issues present in card-based containers is to form a composite packaging container. Such composite containers employ strengthening ribs, beams or frameworks of material in addition to an outer cladding of cardboard. The strengthening beams may for example be formed from lightweight wooden materials that create an exterior frame for the container along its edges.

[0005] Although these types of composite container can be stacked on top of each other without deformation, they still exhibit bulging of the side walls when filled with large volumes of material. Furthermore, the formation of a framework of strengthened edges for the container is also a relatively costly and time-consuming process when compared with the creation of a simple card-based packaging container.

[0006] An improved packaging container that addressed any or all of the above problems would be of advantage. A packaging container which could contain large volumes of material without significant bulging of the side walls of the container, and which also allowed a number of containers to be stacked one on top of each other without crushing the bottom container would be of advantage.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

[0008] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

[0009] All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

[0010] It is acknowledged that the term ‘comprise’ may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term ‘comprise’ shall have an inclusive meaning—i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term ‘comprised’ or ‘comprising’ is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

[0012] Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging container which includes,

[0014] a main body formed from a covering material, said main body being adapted to enclose as area, and being adapted to form at least one side wall,

[0015] a plurality of support beams,

[0016] the container being characterised in that the support beams are located within the walls of the container.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a container substantially as described above wherein a support beam is formed from the material having a greater resistance to compression than said covering material.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging container substantially as described above wherein the support beams are formed from a panel shaped element which is adapted to resist side wall bulging of the filled container.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging container substantially as described above wherein the support beams are located substantially in the centre of the side wall or walls of a container.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging container which includes a base adapted to provide a platform to which at least a portion of a side wall is mounted, said base being adapted to allow the container to be stacked on top of another container.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a container substantially as described above which includes a cap adapted to provide an upper closure to the area enclosed by the main body, said cap being adapted to receive another container base stacked on top of said cap.

[0022] According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging container substantially as described above wherein the support beams are used to locate a base and/or a cap for the container with respect to at least one side wall of the container.

[0023] The present invention is adapted to provide a packaging container, preferably which can be used to store and transport large quantities of material. Reference throughout this specification will also be made to a container formed in accordance with the present invention being used to package bulk quantities of material of approximately one tonne in weight. Furthermore, the present invention may also be adapted to package bulk volumes of liquid located within a flexible bladder, where the container formed exhibits resistance to bulging of its side walls and the ability to allow multiple containers to be stacked one on top of each other. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that other types of material may also be packaged or contained using the present invention and reference to the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting.

[0024] Preferably a container formed in accordance with the present invention includes a main body which encloses a specific area. The product to be packaged may be placed within the area enclosed by the main body to be contained and packaged.

[0025] Preferably the container includes a plurality of side walls. A number of distinct side walls may be provided to form a rectangular, square or otherwise regular dimensioned container in accordance with a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art should also appreciate that a cylindrical formed container with a single side wall may also be employed if required.

[0026] Preferably the main body of the container is formed from or includes a covering material that creates an outer cladding or surface to the container and which defines the main area enclosed. This covering material may preferably form the outer side walls of the container and also portions of its base or cap if required.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment the covering material used to form the main body of the container may be corrugated card. Corrugated card or cardboard is used extensively in the packaging industry and is a relatively low cost material. Corrugated card also exhibits insulative properties that may be required to package some types of products.

[0028] Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the use of corrugated card in the formation of the main body and also an outer cladding for the container. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that other types of material may also be employed if required. Any form of material which can adequately perform as a cover or cladding for the container and which can be produced relatively inexpensively can be employed in conjunction with the present invention.

[0029] Preferably a container formed in accordance with the present invention may include a plurality of support beams. Support beams may give the resulting container additional strength and structural integrity when compared with a container only formed from the covering material of the main body. Preferably the container formed includes a plurality of support beams located substantially around its circumference.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment a support beam may be located substantially in the centre of a side wall of a container. Providing a support beam in the centre of a side wall provides a container with added resistance to side wall bulging forces present when the enclosed area of the container is filled.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment the support beams of the container may be located within the side wall or walls of the container. If, for example, a container is formed with a substantially cylindrical outline or cross section, a number of support beams may be provided in the single side wall of the container. Alternatively, if the container is formed with a number of discrete side walls set at angles with respect to one another the support beams employed may be provided within the side walls away from the junctions or corners of the container.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment the side wall or walls of a container may be formed from multiple layers of covering material in addition to one or more support beams. A covering material may be provided, for example, as both an outer cladding to the container and also an inner liner to the interior of the container. The support beam or beams provided may then be sandwiched between the inner and outer layers of the covering material provided.

[0033] In a further preferred embodiment each side wall may also include a third inner layer of covering material which lies in line with a support beam or beams located within the interior of a side wall. This third interior layer may fill any gaps or air spaces between the inner and outer layers of the container through being aligned with the side beam or beams within the wall.

[0034] In a further preferred embodiment a single support beam may be provided for each distinct side wall of the container, A support beam may be located substantially in the centre of each side wall of the container to strengthen the central areas of the side wall involved.

[0035] Reference throughout this specification will also be made to a single side beam being provided in the centre of each side wall of a container. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that other configurations of the present invention are envisioned. For example, in one alternative embodiment multiple support beams may be provided within a single side wall distributed across the width of the side wall and not necessarily directly within its centre. The side beams provided need not necessarily be located at each of the corners or edges of the container but instead may reinforce or support the actual face or surface of a side wall.

[0036] Preferably each of the support beams provided are formed from a strengthening material which has greater resistance to compressive and/or tensioning forces than the covering material employed from the main body of the container. Such a strengthening material may provide additional rigidity and strength to the central areas of each of the container's side walls, preferably to increase the container's ability to resist side bulging and also crushing when stacked with other containers, Support beams may allow compressive forces applied to a cap of the container to be transmitted to a base of the container. Preferably such support beams may also extend the entire height of a container side, wall.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment a strengthening material employed in the support beam may be a wood based product. For example, natural timber or composite wood based products may all be employed to form support beams used in accordance with the present invention. Timber based products provide an added degree of strength and structural integrity to the resulting container. This improves the container's bulge resistance and stacking strength when compared to a container simply formed by a covering material such as cardboard.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment a support beam may be formed as a sheet or panel type element with a substantially larger width than depth. By providing a panel or sheet-like support beam this increases the supported area or surface of a side wall.

[0039] In a further preferred embodiment support beams may extend from the top directly through to the bottom of a side wall Having a support beam which traverses the entire height of a side wall allows compressive forces applied to the cap of the container to be transmitted directly down to its base.

[0040] Preferably the support beams of a container may also be used to locate or attach a base and cap onto the container side walls. A container base may provide a platform on to which the side walls are mounted and which can be used to stack the container on top of other containers. A cap for the container may provide an upper closure for the area enclosed by the side walls may also have another container base stacked on top of it if required By using the container side beams to locate both the container cap and base, compressive forces transmitted onto the cap from a stack of containers may be transmitted directly down to the container base through the support beams. The support beams may bear the compressive forces applied to the container through stacking and transmit these forces down directly onto a supporting floor or lower container without the body of the container being damaged.

[0041] This configuration of the container provides it with increased stacking strength and bulge resistance. By placing the support beams substantially within the centre of each side wall this increases the container's resistance to wall bulging. Furthermore, compressive forces placed on the cap of the container may be transmitted through to its base by the support beams without any damage being caused to the covering material forming the main body of the container. This may be contrasted with prior art composite type packaging containers that employ a framework of beams along the edges of the container. Although these types of known containers do provide increased resistance to compression damage in stacks of containers, they still suffer from problems associated with side wall bulging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0042] Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0043]FIG. 1 shows a perspective cross section view of an improved packaging container formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment, and

[0044]FIG. 2 shows strengthening material components of the container shown with respect to FIG. 1, and

[0045]FIG. 3 shows covering material components of the container shown with respect to FIG. 1.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0046]FIG. 1 shows a perspective cross section view of the container 1 formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, The container 1 includes a cap 2, base 3 and central body portion 4. The body portion 4 is formed from four distinct side walls 5 that are in turn formed with a three layer construction.

[0047] Each side wall includes a single support beam 6 formed from a strengthening wooden material which runs the entire height of the container. Each support beam 6 is formed from a wooden plank or panel which is located substantially in the centre of the side wall involved.

[0048] The container 1 formed also includes a number of other wooden components as shown with respect to FIG. 2.

[0049] For example, the container cap 2 is formed from top rim component 7 which defines an open area 8 to be filled by a wooden lid 9. A wooden base plate 10 also forms a portion of the base 3, and four wooden support beams 6 are provided.

[0050] The upper and lower portions of the side beams 6 are also formed into projecting flanges 11 which are engaged with corresponding apertures 12 formed in the top rim 7 and base plate 10. These flanges 11 and apertures 12 key and lock together the cap, base and side walls to improve the structural integrity of the container formed.

[0051] Each of the side walls 5 are also formed with the triple layer construction of several sheets of corrugated card material. Corrugated card is employed to form an outer cladding layer 13, an interior spacer or filler layer 14 and an interior surface 15. Each of these three layers of corrugated cardboard is formed from three separate blanks of card material, as shown with respect to FIG. 3. As can be seen from the diagram the corrugations or fluting provided in the card are aligned so that corrugations sit substantially vertically within the container walls formed.

[0052] The entire exterior layer 13 may be formed from the single blank shown with respect to FIG. 3, as can the interior lining or surface 15 of the container. The spacer or filler layers 14 are be formed from four separate blanks as shown with respect to FIG. 3.

[0053] The container shown with respect to FIG. 1 is specifically adapted to contain and also dispense bulk fluid products. A large bladder of fluid is placed within the area enclosed by the side walls of the container 1. This bladder also includes a valve or tap arrangement that is accessed by a tap hole 16 formed in one of the side walls 4. The valve tap associated with the bladder of fluid contained may for example protrude out through the tap hole provided and can be used to dispense the fluid contained.

[0054] Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims. 

What we claim is:
 1. A packaging container which includes, a main body formed from a covering material, said main body being adapted to enclose an area and being adapted to form at least one side wall, and a plurality of support beams, the container being characterised in that the support beams are located within or adjacent to the walls of the container.
 2. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 which includes a base adapted to provide a platform to which at least a portion of a side wall is mounted, said base being adapted to allow the container to be stacked on top of other containers.
 3. A packaging container as claimed in claim 2 which includes a cap adapted to provide an upper closure to the area enclosed by the main body, said cap being adapted to receive another container base stacked on top of said cap.
 4. A packaging container as claimed in claim 3 wherein the plurality of support beams are used to locate a base and/or a cap of the container with respect to at least one side wall of the container.
 5. A packaging container as claimed in claim 3 wherein the support beams allow compressive forces applied to the cap to be transmitted to the base of the container.
 6. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beams extend the entire height of a side wall.
 7. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beams are located substantially around the circumference of the container.
 8. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beams are located within the side wall or walls of a container.
 9. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beams are provided adjacent to the side wall or walls of a container.
 10. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support beams are located substantially in the centre of each side wall of the container.
 11. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein a single support beam is provided for each side wall of the container.
 12. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein a support beam is formed from material having a greater resistance to compression than said covering material.
 13. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein a support beam is formed from a panel shaped element.
 14. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein a support beam is formed from a wood based product.
 15. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the covering material creates an outer cladding to the container and defines the main area enclosed.
 16. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the covering material is formed from corrugated card.
 17. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one container side wall is formed from multiple layers of covering material and at least one support beam.
 18. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one side wall of the container are formed from two layers of covering material providing an outer cladding and an inner surface for said side wall, wherein a support beam is sandwiched between said layers of covering material within the interior of said side wall.
 19. A packaging container as claimed in claim 1 which is adapted to package bulk volumes of liquid located within a flexible bladder. 